Exodus 12:31 (KJV)

What does Exodus 12:31 mean?

Exodus 12:31 describes how Pharaoh, during the night, urgently summoned Moses and Aaron and told them to take the Israelites and leave Egypt to serve the LORD, just as they had requested. This verse marks the moment when Pharaoh finally gives permission for the Israelites to depart after the death of the Egyptian firstborns.

Pharaoh is the speaker here, addressing Moses and Aaron after Egypt has suffered the final and most devastating plague. The situation is tense and dramatic: Pharaoh, who had repeatedly refused to let the Israelites go, now commands them to leave immediately, along with all the people of Israel. The verse shows a complete reversal of Pharaoh’s earlier stance, highlighting the seriousness of the events that forced his decision.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 12:31

• לַיְלָה (laylah, "night"): The word for "night" emphasizes the urgency and unusual timing of Pharaoh’s command. Important royal decisions were rarely made at night, showing how desperate the situation had become.
• יָצָא (yatsa, "forth"): This word is often used for going out or departing, and here it underscores the physical act of the Israelites leaving Egypt, not just a symbolic release.
• עַבְדוּ (avdu, "serve"): The verb for "serve" can mean both worship and labor. In this context, Pharaoh is granting permission for the Israelites to go and worship their God, as Moses had repeatedly asked.

Why Exodus 12:31 matters

• This verse clears up that Pharaoh’s decision was not gradual or partial; he gave a full and urgent release, showing the overwhelming impact of the final plague.
• The emphasis on leaving "by night" highlights the dramatic and hurried nature of the Exodus, which becomes a key detail in the Passover story.
• Exodus 12:31 connects directly to God’s earlier promises to Moses and the Israelites, showing that God’s word is being fulfilled in a decisive and public way.